Contact: Lisa Foster Industry Relations Specialist Walton County Tourism Lisa@WCFLTourism.com (850) 333-2728
Accepting Applications for 2026 Walton County Artist of the Year
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. – April 20 – Walton County Tourism will accept applications for the 2026 Artist of the Year Award beginning Friday, May 1. Currently in its 24th year, this accolade aims to honor a local artist of Walton County whose unique artistic expression captures the essence of the destination's renowned creativity and beauty. The deadline for submissions for the Artist of the Year program is Sunday, May 31, at 5 p.m. CDT. The winner will be announced during the Walton County Tourism Annual Meeting in October 2026. Artists can find instructions and apply online at waltoncountyaoy.com. The Artist of the Year Award is a community initiative highlighting local artists, spotlighting their work through diverse publicity channels and events throughout the year. The recipient will be granted $4,000 for creating a commissioned artwork to be showcased in Walton County. "Walton County is home to incredibly talented individuals who express their craft through creative mediums," said Matt Algarin, tourism director for Walton County Tourism. "Through our Artist of the Year program, we are not only able to showcase and highlight a truly deserving individual, but we are able to promote and share their work with a larger audience." Artwork submissions will be evaluated based on criteria such as originality, authenticity and overall appeal. Finalists will participate in in-person interviews where they will be required to present three examples of artwork during a panel discussion. Recent Artist of the Year winners include: Mindy Moore, Sarah Page, Bradley Copeland, Joseph Messer and Chandler Williams. For a complete list of winners, visit waltoncountyaoy.com. To learn more about the Artist of the Year program, contact Lisa Foster at (850) 333-2728 or Lisa@WCFLTourism.com.
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